Movable sealing strip for doors



Sept. 22, 1931. c. G. JOHNSON MOVABLE SEALING STRIP FOR DOORS Filed April 12, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l awuzmko'n Sept. 22, 1931. c. ca- JOHNSON MOVABLE SEALING STRIP FOR DOORS Filed April 12, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 22, 1931. c. s. JOHNSON MOVABLE SEALING STRIP FOR DOORS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 12, 1928 Patented Sept. 22, 1931 UNITED STATES CLARENCE G. JOHNSON, OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA MOVABLE SEALING STRIP FOB DOORS Application filed April 12,

The present invention pertains to a novel movable sealing strip which is acted upon by a closure member such as a door. or window for the purpose of sealing the lateral spaces between such member and the sides 1 is brought into closing position. The invention is herein described in connection with garage doors of the sliding type, wherein the door may be composed of hinged sections which roll on a track; but the principle of the invention is applicable also to closure members generally such as sliding doors and windows of various types.

The invention embodies movable sealing strips or moldings pivotally supported by the jambs or slides of the frame. They are positioned and mounted in such a manner as to permit swinging movement towards the door when in closing position, and the latter is provided with suitable means for drawing these members when it reaches the closingposition. Springs are provided for normally retracting the sealing strips away from the door opening; and in one form of the invention the pivot point of the strips is an intermediate point, so that one end of each strip is drawn by the springs into the path of the door. When the door descends to its closing position, it engages this projecting end and tilts the major portion of the strip in the direction of the door opening so that the strip engages the door and has a sealing effect in conjunction therewith. In other embodiments of the invention the door carries brackets which have a Wedge action in sloping notches cut in the strips, whereby the strips are drawn into contact with the door when the latter reaches its closing position.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section of a door constructed according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof;

1928. Serial No. 269,474.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

F ig..4 is a vertical section of a modified form of door construction, showing the door in closed position;

Fig. 5 is a section in the same plane, ing the door raised to open position;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 1; i

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of another modified construction;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 88 of Figure 1; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the sealing strips, showing the notch in the strip and the path leading thereto for the movement and action of the actuating member.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3, showing one embodiment of the invention, is illustrated a door frame 1 of usual construction provided at its vertical sides with vertical track sections 2. These sections are bent at their upper ends as at 3 and continued horizontally as at 4.

A door consisting of sections 5 hinged together at 6 is adapted to move on the track by means of rollers 7 extending therefrom and received in the track.

In order to effect the automatic sealing action already mentioned, I provide a pair of vertical sealing strips 8 with their lower ends pivoted as at 9 to the sides or jambs 10 of the door frame. Springs 11 extend showfrom the upper ends of the strips to fixed points on the adjacent jambs and in this manner normally retract the strips from the plane which the door occupies when closed. At intermediate points on the strips are formed transverse slots 12 which receive headed pins 13 extending from the frame sides 10. The pins obviously maintain the strips in vertical position, and in conjunction with the slots 12, permit an arcuate movement thereof.

The upper end of each strip has a notch to engage the S10 ed wal s 15 14 formed with a sloped surface 15.. The upper corners of the sliding door ca brackets 16 with sloped ortions 17 adapted of the notches. The relation of t ese parts is such that when the door comes to closing position as shown in Figure 1, the interaction of the sloped members 17and notches 14 swings the strips against the sprin s 11 into firm engagement with the closed oor whereby the sldes of the door opening are eflectively sealed. When the door is lifted, the springs retract the strips, and this movement is llmited by stop pins 18 fixed to the upper ends of the frame sides 10.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the strips 20 are pivoted to the frame 21 at points somewhat above the lower extremitles thereof as indicated by the numeral 22. Consequently the lower ends 23 of the strips, i. e. those portions beneath the pivot 'points 22, are projected into the door opening when the lowest door section 24 in rising, strikes the upper ends of the strips as illustrated in Figure 5. When the door is lowered, the lowest section 24 engages the ends 23 and forces them inwardl of the door frame, as a consequence of which the strips are swung into engagement with the surface of the door.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a further modification wherein each strip 30 has a sloped notch 31 cut in its outer edge above the mid point thereof. The support of the strips is similar to that shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Sloping brackets 32 carried by the sectional door 33 are adapted to enter the notches 31 by way of a groove 34 cut in each strip from the upper end thereof to the notch. When the bracket enters the notch, its action on the sloped wall of the notch draws the strip into firm engagement with the door.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described,

it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. In combination with a frame and a closure member slidably mounted to cover and uncover the frame, sealing strips pivoted to the frame and normally disengageable from said member in the uncovering position of the latter, and means operable by said closure member for swinging said strips towards said member when the latter approaches closing position.

2. In combination with a frame and a closure member slidably mounted to cover and uncover the frame, sealing strips having one end pivotally connected to said frame and normally disengageable from said member in position ofv the latter, and means carried said member for swingin the strips towar said member when the latter a proaches closing 'tion.

3. n combination with a frame and a clo-, sure member slidably mounted to cover and uncover the frame, sealing stri having one end pivotally connected to said frame, and sloped members carried by said closure member and adapted to enter sloped notches in said strips for drawing the same towards the member when the latter approaches closing position.

4. In combination with a frame-and a closure member slidably mounted to cover and uncover the frame, sealin strips pivoted to the frame and normally isengageable from said member in the uncovering position of the latter, means for swinging said strips towards said member when the latter approaches closing position, and means for limiting the swinging movement of said strips.

5. In combination with a frame and a closure member slidably mounted to cover and uncover the frame, sealin strips pivoted to the frame, and means or swinging said strips towards said member when the latter approaches closing position, said strips having transverse slots, and guide members fixed in said frame and passing through said slots, whereby to limit the swinging movement of said strips.

6. In combination with a frame and a closure member slidably mounted to cover and uncover the frame, sealing strips pivoted to the frame, means for swlnging said strips towards said member when the latter approaches closing position,-and means tending to retract said strips from'said member.

7 In combination with a frame and a closure member slidably mounted to cover and uncover the frame, sealing strips pivoted to the frame, means for swinging said strips towards said member when the latter approaches closing position, and springs joining the free swinging ends of said strips to said frame for normally retracting the strips from said member.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CLARENCE G. JOHN SON.

the uncovering) 

